Borinquen Thermal Resort
At the foot of Rincón de la Vieja, built over underground geysers: natural hot springs, volcanic mud and a natural steam room come with breakfast, and the private bungalows look out to the mountains.
4-starView hotel
Rincón de la Vieja National Park
An active volcano about an hour from Liberia airport, with hot springs, volcanic mud, waterfalls and some of the best horseback trails in Costa Rica. Most of our clients spend 2 nights here.
- Fly into
- LIR
- Liberia about 1 hour
- Stay
- 2 nights
- What most of our clients choose
- Best weather
- Nov to Apr
- The drier months
- Region
- Guanacaste
- Volcano, dry forest, cattle ranches
- Pairs with
- Papagayo
- Private transfer, under 2 hours
Why go
Hot springs, mud and waterfalls on a living volcano
Rincón de la Vieja National Park, on the UNESCO World Heritage list, protects the slopes of an active volcano in northern Guanacaste. Trails on foot or on horseback pass fumaroles and bubbling mud pots on the way to waterfalls you can swim in, and the day ends in natural hot springs with a coat of warm volcanic clay. Around the park, working cattle ranches have opened lodges where you can ride ranch horses and see Guanacaste's cowboy heritage up close.
Hot springs and mudThermal pools and warm volcanic clay
Waterfall trailsOn foot or on horseback through the park
AdventureZip lines, rappelling and the Río Negro
The map
Every hotel we book in Rincón de la Vieja
6 hotels, our favourites numbered.
Hotels we know personally
3-star and above only, chosen by our team in Costa Rica.
Hacienda Guachipelin
A ranch on the slopes of Rincón de la Vieja, with cowboys at the corral, views of the volcano and the Pacific, and canopy, horseback riding and tubing on the Río Negro right from the hotel.
3-starView hotel
What our clients book most in Rincón de la Vieja
Ranked from the trips we planned in the last 12 months.
- 01Adventure day at Hacienda GuachipelínShared, Full day
- 02National park hike and Oropéndola WaterfallShared, 3.5 hours
- 03Nature day at Hacienda GuachipelínShared, Full day
- 04La Cangreja Waterfall hikeShared
- 05Las Pailas trail hikeShared, 3 hours
- 06Horseback ride to Oropéndola WaterfallShared, 3.5 hours
When to go
Driest November to April
Guanacaste has the least rain and the fiercest sun in Costa Rica, so bring factor 50 sunscreen, a hat and insect repellent. The park stays a favourite in the rainy season too, when the forest turns green.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Dry seasonGreen season, still good for the parkSemana Santa, 21 to 28 March 2027: plan early
About an hour from Liberia airport
From Liberia (LIR)about 1 hourPrivate transfer, with a meet and greet at arrivals
From Monteverdeabout 4 hoursPrivate transfer across Guanacaste
On to the beachesunder 2 hoursPrivate transfer to Playa Hermosa or the Riu resorts at Matapalo
Where to go next
Where our clients go after Rincón de la Vieja
Good to know
Rincón de la Vieja questions we answer every week
How far is Rincón de la Vieja from Liberia airport?
About an hour by private transfer from Liberia (LIR).
How many nights do I need at Rincón de la Vieja?
2 nights is what most of our clients choose: a full day to hike or ride to the waterfalls, and time for the hot springs and the mud.
What is an adventure pass?
A full day that strings several activities together, such as zip lining, rafting or tubing, rappelling and a soak in the hot springs. It is the tour our clients book most here.
What should I pack for Rincón de la Vieja?
Good hiking shoes, a swimsuit for the hot springs and waterfalls, factor 50 sunscreen, a hat, insect repellent, and a waterproof bag for your phone on the Río Negro.
Your Costa Rica, planned by people who live here
Tell us what you love. A Costa Rica Specialist builds a custom itinerary around it, with private transfers, hotels we know and our team on call 24/7 while you travel.
Since 2004 in Costa RicaOver 25,000 clients1,200+ five-star reviewsICT licensed, Declaratoria Turística